bulb choice?

[george albert]

Ok,
I have used 400w 20k plusrites for years now but they need to be changed often and the blue hue goes out after about 1 1/2 months.I want something thats going to last a bit longer and keep the blue color so i wont need to run the t5s.
I have been looking at xm,radium,phoenix(cant seem to find in 400w).
Tank is a 150 tall so about 30 in deep
and if u have pics that would be a big help
thanks george

 

[manderx]

what kind of ballast do you have? electronic, magnetic, hqi?

 

[fazio92]

Reeflux bulbs are awesome if you have an electronic ballast.

 

[george albert]

electronic ice cap ballast
single end bulb

 

[fazio92]

George,

I use a SE 400w Reeflux 12k on an e-ballast and love it. I run them because i didn't want to run supplemental actinics like you were saying you would like to stray away from. I was still able to achieve a nice pop in coral color without having a "blue" tank. They produce a nice crisp white/blue, whereas the Radiums and XMs 20k's will be severely more blue. The pics i posted in matt's thread can somewhat give you an idea of the Reeflux 12k color.

 

[george albert]

Thanks anthony ill take a look

 

[manderx]

the reeflux bulbs seem to have some magic to them that causes corals to develop the brightest blues i've ever seen. the whole 'palmer's blue millie' craze was simply a regular blue millie under reeflux bulbs.

 

[fazio92]

the reeflux bulbs seem to have some magic to them that causes corals to develop the brightest blues i've ever seen. the whole 'palmer's blue millie' craze was simply a regular blue millie under reeflux bulbs.

LOL. It did look pretty awesome though

 

[ThurlowR]

Could always switch to LED :idea:

 

[george albert]

leds would be great but my wallet says NO!!!!!Not sure what i would even need.